2 up for Townend and Prince

Paul Townend doubled his Kilbeggan score when Prince Garyantle made it two from two for Matthew Smith in the Mullingar Handicap Hurdle.

Townend, earlier a winner on Andrew McNamara's Creative Talent had a pretty easy time of it here on Prince Garyantle, victorious at Tramore 11 days back.

Owned by the Home & Dry Syndicate, who had many a good day with the likes of Prince Of Pleasure and Prince Of Leisure (including at this venue) in the past, the Exit To Nowhere gelding Prince Garyantle is on a definite upward curve.

Here it was really a case of barring accidents from a fair way out as the seven-year-old registered an eight and a half length victory over Coolnagorna Giggs

"I would have been disappointed if he hadn't won to be honest but I suppose I had in the back of my mind the 16lb (rise for Tramore)," said Smith.

"He did it well. He likes to gallop away and Paul said he was idling a bit. If another horse had come to him he'd pick it up again. He stayed the three miles as well.

"We're just taking it a race at a time with him. The boys are delighted as they are after getting two wins into him.

"Paul said he would even have more respect for a fence."

(GC & EM)